It’s your key to career transition success.
Any big life change can feel like stepping into the unknown. And taking the plunge out of the military is no exception. In fact, we’re confident it’s the trickiest career change that anyone can go through.
It’s not much of a wonder then, that many service leavers end up treading similar paths to their peers. This limits potential, as well as not serving your personal goals, passions and aspirations.
Let’s make it easier.
Enter the three p’s framework; purpose, people, and pounds. One of the veteran community members, Luke Parker, shared this with us, and we thought it was so useful that we’d spread the word.
Luke transitioned from the Royal Engineers to Google. So it clearly works. Let’s break it down.
Purpose: What are you passionate about?
This is all about understanding what you want to do, and why you want to do it. In the military, purpose is the driving force. You’ll have dedicated yourself and your career to a cause greater than yourself. Your sense of duty to this cause comes across in how committed military folk are.
So when you transition into a civvie career, it’s crucial you identify a purpose that you can get behind, that will resonate with you, and will drive you in the same way. For example, Luke’s passion for data led him to Google
Google’s mission to organise the world’s information aligned with this passion, so it made sense for him to end up there.
Actions for you.
- Reflect on what excites and motivates you. Tech, education, healthcare, sustainability? Or something else. Whatever drives you, go for it.
- Identify industries or companies with missions that align with your values and passions.
- Set clear career goals to help you get there, this will give you direction and motivation.
People: Building your network
Network. Our favourite word. It’s honestly so important to surround yourself with like-minded individuals and build a strong network. In the military you work with some of the brightest and best minds, all who will have your back. Build a civilian network that mirrors this. This is what Luke has to say about it:
"When it comes to people, it’s simple. Because I worked with some of the smartest people in the British Army, I wanted to work with some of the best data engineers in the world and some of the brightest minds. Google covers that too."
Actions for you:
- Network actively on Redeployable and LinkedIn. Connect with people, reach out to them, and be bold!
- Go to events, join groups, get stuck in to industry-related activations where you might meet people.
- Do your research, get to know the industry and function, that way you can have informed conversations.
Pounds: The numbers need to make sense
Get a solid handle on your financial needs. Remember to include things like gym or sports memberships, clothing, and transport. These are often covered by the military, and can be a shock when you get out.
Luke advises that you have a good understanding of this before you leave, and we agree. Speak to friends, family, peers. Leave no stone unturned and map out what it costs to run your lifestyle.
Actions for you:
- Assess your current financial situation and determine what you need to maintain or improve your lifestyle.
- Research salary ranges in your desired industry.
- Consider the full range of benefits offered by potential employers, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks.
Bringing it all together
Using this framework is a good place to start. You’ll approach your transition with structure, helping you to make informed decisions.
Pivot your career with clarity. You’ll thank yourself later.
